Gow Hastings Architects

Gow Hastings Architects is a Toronto-based design studio creating vibrant places for research, learning, play and discovery. Our work reimagines how these spaces can look and feel. Founded in 2002 by Valerie Gow and Philip Hastings, we specialise in the ABCs and 123s of buildings and spaces for education in the broadest sense of the word — anywhere people gather to connect and exchange culture, knowledge and ideas. Designs are purposeful, practical, playful, and most importantly, made for people. From individual classrooms and entire campuses to unconventional Indigenous teaching lodges and outdoor learning experiences, we have completed over 500 projects, both small and large. Clients include communities, municipalities, school boards, colleges, and universities, as well as private organisations. We particularly excel at helping during times of change that call for renewal and imaginative rethinking of what is possible. Taking a multidisciplinary approach, we provide complete design consulting services, integrating architecture, interior design, functional programming, spatial planning, user engagement, visual communication and environmental graphic design. Through a deliberate embrace of the overlooked, for us no space is too minor to matter, and no task is too complex to complete. Whether it is a single room or at the scale of a campus or a city park, we give equal care and attention to finding the best fit solutions. Our group of creatives approaches every project asking, how can we make a difference?